2017 Horatio Williams Tip Off Classic Recap Part 2

The Horatio Williams Tip Off Classic has always been filled with the state’s top talent. This event has the format of Detroit Public Schools versus other
schools. DPS basketball has always been special. DPS players are out on the hardwood representing their school and their city. They always give it their all regardless of the opponent. This year the event took place at the historic Cass Tech High School, reigning city champions. As usual, this event did not disappoint.

Hazel Park vs. East English Village Preparatory Academy (EEVPA)

Like the previous game, this game’s guard matchup gave the crowd a show. EEVPA’s Dave DeJulius who is signed to the University of Michigan, against Hazel Park’s unsigned senior ,Carl Bow JR. DeJulius started this contest off strong with a quick 9 points coming off of two deep threes and 3/4 from the line in the opening three minutes. EEVPA held an early lead thanks to their great ball movement and strong defense. EEVPA was constantly seen closing out on shooters and poking at loose balls. Even Freshman stud, Simon Wheeler got in the action with a steal in the first quarter. As it looked as if this game was not going to be competitive, a 9 point EEVPA lead turned into a 2 point deficit. Hazel Park’s Bow JR. and senior bigs, Khari Adams and Kyle Washington turned their jets on in the first quarter with a tight 1-3-1 defense resulting in multiple fast break finishes and a 2 point first quarter lead. We have ourselves a ball game.

As the second quarter continued, tension increased between the Vikings and the Bulldogs. Washington was unstoppable in the first half getting every offensive board within reach and putting it back with ease. Both teams continued to battle. Sophomore big for EEVPA, Colin Golson was finishing everything. But whatever EEVPA did, Hazel Park answered. DeJulius hit a three and Hazel Park’s senior shooter, Devin Pettus answered back with two triples. Hazel Park simply just wanted it more. They would push the ball in transition and EEVPA would cease to get back. The Vikings fought for every board on both ends and retained possession. When the halftime buzzer sounded, Hazel Park held a 12 point lead. But this buzzer did not signal the end of the half, shoving between a Hazel Park and EEVPA player sent both teams to the locker room. We are in store for a competitive second half.

Despite the first half absence of Hazel Park’s lefty senior, Dave Hearns, the Vikings dominated. Adams had 12 points and 6 rebounds, Washington had 12 and 4 rebounds, and Bow had 10 at the break. Whereas the Bulldogs were being carried by DeJulius with 14 and Golson with 13. The teams continued to trade buckets throughout the quarter including very impressive play from EEVPA’s senior wing,

[caption id="attachment_268740" align="alignleft" width="198"]EEVPA's Zavon Godwin[/caption]
Zavon Godwin. Godwin caught a lob from DeJulius and rebounded on both ends of the floor. DeJulius continued to play smart distributing the ball to fellow senior, Keyon Brown and Golson. This brought what was a 12 point deficit to a one possession game. But a late third quarter spurt by the Vikings increased EEVPA’s deficit back up to 7.

The fourth quarter started with an EEVPA drive and kick from junior Tariq Shepard to sophomore, Jayshawn Moore bringing the game to four, but a quick 6-0 run by Hazel Park brought the deficit back up to double digits. The Bulldogs kept chipping away at the Viking's lead, but whatever EEVPA did, Hazel Park answered back. A lob to Bow JR. for the slam late in the fourth put the nail in the coffin. Hazel Park wanted it more and they got it. They defeated the star studded EEVPA with a final score of 86-72. They were led by Kyle Washington with 18 points(7-10) and 6 rebounds, Carl Bow with 16 points(7-14) and 6 rebounds, and Khari Adams 14 points(7-11) and 10 rebounds. Contributing for EEVPA, Dave DeJulius with 23 points(5-13) and Colin Golson with 15 points(7-9) and 5 rebounds. The Hazel Park Viking are legit.

Pershing Doughboys vs.Southfield Christian Eagles

Many fans at this game were in attendance to watch Southfield Christian’s junior stud, Harlond Beverly. Beverly blew up during the summer, receiving offers from Michigan State, Arizona State, Missouri, and that's just to name a few. Aside from Beverly, this matchup is filled with a plethora of college bound talent. The game started off with a Pershing 7-0 run which was quickly responded with a 5-0 run of his own, from senior star, Bryce Washington. Washington is one of the top unsigned seniors in the state. Pershing has a top unsigned senior on their team as well, and Southfield Christian got to know him real quick. Pershing’s DJuan Seal is a strong rebounder and scorer and he showed off those attributes against Southfield Christian. He, tallied 7 first quarter points which was matched by Southfield Christian’s Washington. But after one, Seals’ team held a one point lead with a score of 19-18.

As the half progressed, Washington was getting whatever he wanted inside and out. Then, when Washington went cold, Beverly turned it on, passing and scoring in transition. It's no wonder why Beverly and Washington are two of the biggest recruits in the state. The dominance of these two was no surprise. But what was surprising, was the stellar play of Southfield Christian’s sophomore guard, Dajion Humphrey. Humphrey was perfect from the field in the first half scoring 10 points. When the half time buzzer sounded, the Eagles of Southfield Christian were on top of the Doughboys of Detroit Pershing 41-35. Washington led the eagles in scoring with 14. The Doughboys were led by their superb seniors, Charles Brown and Paire Hill who each had 10 at the break.

The teams traded buckets throughout the third quarter but what set the two teams apart was post play. Brown, Seal, and Jaylyn Benning were dominant in the post for Pershing. Benning was the key to Pershing’s comeback going scoring 9 points in the third quarter off of 4-4 shooting. A Seal bucket at the buzzer ended the quarter with flavor to bring the deficit to a single possession.

The fourth quarter started with a quick 3 from P.Hill to tie the game up at 54 a piece. Play was later stopped after a nose bleed from Pershing’s Seal. As the quarter progressed, the Doughboys and the Eagles continued to trade buckets. P.Hill came up big down the stretch scoring, however Southfield Christian continued to respond. With 36 seconds left and a three point deficit for the Pershing Doughboys, Pershing’s senior guard, Ron Hill came up big. R.Hill was fouled on a three point attempt at the top of the key. He stepped to the line with poise and sunk all three. Missed opportunities for both teams in the final 36 seconds sent the Eagles and the Doughboys to overtime.

[caption id="attachment_268765" align="alignleft" width="150"] Southfield Christian's Bryce Washington[/caption]
Overtime started with back to back triples from Southfield Christians’s Washington and senior guard, Elijah Hicks. The Doughboys continued to fight. Their next three possessions, they got the line and shot 6/7 to tie the game up. Pershing continued to control the game forcing Southfield Christian to turn the ball over repeatedly and the Doughboys capitalized. A quick P.Hill triple and Seal drive put the Doughboys on top and they never let up. Pershing ended up winning with a 13 point turn around in OT beating the Eagles 81-74. The seniors of Pershing showed out and were the key to Pershing’s victory. Paire Hill led the Doughboys in scoring with 20 points(6-9) and (4-6) from downtown. Brown, Benning, and Seal contributed big finishing around the rim and being incredibly efficient. The three combined for 40 points off of 72% shooting. Despite an off shooting night for Pershing’s floor general, Ron Hill, he contributed big down the stretch with big steals and shooting 10-10 from the charity stripe against a loaded Southfield Christian team. Southfield Christian was led by Bryce Washington with 24 points(10-17) and 5 rebounds. Beverly also contributed adding 19 points(7-12).

The final matchup of the night consisted of the home team, Cass Tech Technicians against the Buccaneers from Flint Beecher. Despite the 35 minute delayed start due to games running over, the stands were filled to maximum capacity including multiple University of Michigan assistant coaches. The game started with threes from sophomore stud, Tyson Acuff and Ferris State signee, Randy Gilbert gaiving Cass Tech a quick 6-0 lead which was quickly answered by a fast break dunk from Flint Beecher sophomore, Earnest Sanders. But the Technicians were lethal inside and out. The size, strength, and speed could not be tamed by the much smaller and younger Flint Beecher squad. They controlled the first quarter, outscoring Beecher 23-7. Gilbert and Cass Tech junior, Tyland Tate each contributed 5.

Cass Tech came out the gate running. They extended their lead to 23 points with a quick 7-0 run to open up the second quarter. Flint Beecher's perimeter shots wouldn't fall while Cass Tech's transition game was just too much. Cass Tech’s junior big, Jalen Tobias could not be stopped in the post. Putting back the rare missed shots by Cass Tech. Despite Cass Tech’s lead progressively increasing, Flint Beecher's sophomore studs, Jalen Terry and Sanders ceased to give up. At the break, Cass Tech held a 45-22 lead. Cass Tech was led by Tate with 9 points and Gilbert with 7 points and 6 rebounds. Sanders led the Bucs with 7.

The second half was started with a bucket for Flint Beecher from Sanders. Neither team turned off their jets. As Beecher attempted a comeback, Cass Tech’s Gilbert could not be stopped. Back to back triples from Gilbert propelled their lead to 30. Multiple turnovers from Beecher prompted a quick dunk fest from the Technicians. At the end of the third quarter, the Technicians were on top 70-38. Gilbert totaled 11 points in the third quarter.

Both teams slowed up the tempo in this fourth quarter blow-out A.K.A "Garbage time". Cass Tech came out with the easy win. However, there was a silver lining in this poor performance from Beecher, and it was the play of Sanders and Terry. They played smart and to the best of their ability the whole game. Earnest Sanders ended with 16 points(6-10) while his backcourt teammate Jalen Terry ended with 15 points(3-9). Randy Gilbert led Cass Tech in dominating fashion with 20 points(7-11) and 7 rebounds. Junior big, Khalil Whitehead and Acuff also chipped in for Cass Tech. Whitehead with 11 points (5-8) and Acuff with 10 points(4-7). The final score of this contest was 84-56 in favor of the home team.